Grapevine ‘Sheegene-13’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety characterized by the large, red-colored seedless grapes that ripen in late August to early September, approximately six weeks later than the Flame Seedless Grape (unpatented) when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The grapes of this new variety are produced on strong woody stems and branches and are well adapted to commercial harvesting.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:

The claimed plant relates to a new and distinct variety of Vitisvinifera to be known as ‘Sheegene-13’.

Variety denomination:

This invention relates to a new discovery and asexual reproduction of anew variety of Vitis vinifera. The new variety was first hybridized byTimothy P. Sheehan of Porterville Calif. in Spring 2000; first floweringoccurred in May 2003. The pollen parent is Princess (unpatented) and theseed parent is Red Globe (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787). The new varietywas asexually propagated in the dormant season of 2003/2004, bud graftedon Harmony, virus free rootstock near Fowler, Calif. Five vines wereplanted at that time in a Vitis vinifera variety block located nearFowler, Calif. on the west side of Thompson Road, north of Adams Road.The red-colored seedless grapes produced by the new variety are large insize and mature approximately six weeks later than Flame Seedless(unpatented). The new variety has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through asexual propagation.

The new variety is distinguished from its pollen parent, Princess(unpatented), in that the new variety produces red-colored seedlessgrapes, as compared to the white-colored seedless grapes produced by itspollen parent, Princess (unpatented). The new variety is distinguishedfrom its seed parent, Red Globe (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), in that thenew variety produces seedless grapes, as compared to its seed parent,Red Globe (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), that produces seeded grapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapewhich will hereinafter be denominated as ‘Sheegene-13’ and moreparticularly as a grapevine that produces a red-colored large seedlessgrape that matures approximately from the fourth week of August to thefirst week of September in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.The new invention closely resembles Flame Seedless (unpatented) but itproduces a large sized grape with excellent flavor and maturesapproximately six weeks later.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Sheegene-13’ grapevine is characterized by producing a large,red-colored seedless grape that is mature for harvesting and shipmentapproximately from the fourth week in August to the first week inSeptember in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The newvariety can be compared to Flame Seedless (unpatented) but the grapesmature approximately six weeks later, among other distinguishingcharacteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is a colored photograph of the grapes producedby the subject variety; several leaves are displayed as well as atypical section of the vine. Across the top of the color photograph tothe left displays a shoot and tendrils and small leaves; and to theright is a large leaf displaying the bottom side, attached to a petiole.Below the shoot and tendrils and small leaves is a secondary growthcluster. Across the middle of the color photograph on the left is amature grape cluster; and to the right is a mature leaf displaying theupper surface, attached to the petiole. Below the mature leaf is asecondary growth cluster. Across the bottom of the color photograph tothe left is a small shoot with tendrils; in the center are four grapescut in half longitudinally as well as horizontally displaying the fleshand shape; and to the right is a mature cane displaying tendrils, nodes,and small leaves.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring more to the horticultural description of the new and distinctvariety of grapevine, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing at the origin vineyard located nearFowler, Calif. in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Allmajor color designations are by reference to the Dictionary of Color byMaerz and Paul, First Edition, published in 1930. Common color names arealso used in several instances.

-   Vine:    -   -   Size.—5 feet (1.52 meters) in height; 30 to 36 inches (76.20            to 91.44 cm) in width.        -   Vigor.—Very good.        -   Figure.—Wide cordons forming a “T” shaped figure.        -   Production Capacity.—Very good.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 6 inches (15.24 cm) in circumference, 28            inches (71.12 cm) above graft.        -   Surface texture.—Rough, shaggy.        -   Mature cane color.—P1.14 L12 Sudan Brown.        -   Nodes.—Four nodes on canes, 12⅓ inches (31.33 cm) in length.        -   Length between nodes.—5 inches (12.7 cm).        -   Lenticel number.—30.        -   Lenticel size.—0.        -   Shoot size.—Medium.        -   Shoot length.—2.24 inches (58 mm).        -   Shoot shape.—Droopy.        -   Tendril number.—1.        -   Tendril length.—2.24 inches (58 mm).        -   Tendril location.—At nodes.        -   Tendril form.—Bifurcate.        -   Tendril texture.—Firm.        -   Bud shape.—Convex.        -   Bud size.—0.24 inches (6 mm) in length; 0.31 inches (8 mm)            in width.        -   Bud fruitfulness.—Very good.        -   Bud break date.—N/A.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 2 inches (5.04 cm) in circumference.        -   Cordons.—36 inches (91.4 cm) from trunk on one each.        -   Color (One year older wood).—P1.7 H11 Casserole Rustic            Brown.        -   Color (Immature branches).—P1.20 H6 — Piquant Green.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Average length.—6.3 inches (16.0 cm).        -   Average width.—7.87 inches (20.0 cm).        -   Shape.—Pentagonal.        -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth.        -   Texture (lower surface).—Glabrous.        -   Color (upward disposed surface).—P1.23 J8 Mt. Vernon Green.        -   Color (downward disposed surface).—P1.20 K7 Piquant Green.        -   Color (leaf vein).—P1.20 K6 Piquant Green.        -   Glandular characteristics.—0.        -   Petiole size.—Large.        -   Petiole color.—P1.20 K7 Piquant Green.        -   Petiole length.—5.71 to 6.54 inches (14.5 to 16.6 cm).        -   Petiole thickness.—0.12 to 0.138 inches (3 to 3.5 mm).        -   Petiole sinus form.—Upside down “U” shape.        -   Lobe (average).—Four.        -   Tooth size.—Variable; 0.43 to 0.55 inches (11 to 14 mm) in            length, 0.51 to 0.59 inches (13 to 15 mm) in width.        -   Tooth number.—Four between lobes.        -   Tooth shape.—Convex.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Size.—Cluster is 6½ to 7 inches (16.4 to 17.78 cm) in            length.        -   Number borne per spur.—2.        -   Number borne per vine.—20 to 24.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower bud size.—Small.        -   Flower bud surface.—Glabrous.        -   Flower bud quantity.—Moderate.        -   Date of bloom.—Apr. 29, 2007.        -   Date of full bloom.—May 7, 2007        -   Size of bloom.—12 inches (3 mm).        -   Petal color.—P1.19 k10 Bud gr.        -   Petal size.—0.079 inches (2 mm).        -   Pistil color.—P1.17 L7 viridine y.        -   Date of first visible berries.—May 7, 2007.        -   Berry size.—Generally small; approximately 0.079 inches (2            mm).-   Fruit:    -   -   Solids.—19.5° Brix.        -   Acids.—0.40.        -   Sugar/Acid ratio.—4.87.        -   Juice ph.—3.84.        -   Seeds.—Rudimentary.        -   Seed number.—2.        -   Cap stem pedicel.—0.31 inches (8 mm).        -   Berry weight.—11.36 grams.        -   Juice color.—P1.1 B7 Pink+.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Cluster size.—Large.        -   Cluster weight.—1704 grams (3¾ lbs.).        -   Cluster average length (Not including main stem of            cluster).—8.46 inches (22.0 cm).        -   Cluster average width (at greatest width).—7.087 inches            (18.0 cm).        -   Cluster form.—Conical.        -   Compact.—Compact.        -   Stem.—Generally medium; 1.57 inches (4 cm).        -   Stem caliper.—0.20 inches (5 mm).        -   Berry size (average dimension along longitudinal axis).—1.10            (28 mm).        -   Berry size (average dimension along transverse axis).—3 0.91            inches (23 mm).        -   Berry shape.—Ovate.        -   Berry number.—88.-   Flesh:    -   -   Flesh color.—P1.6 A2 close to Rosebud.        -   Juice production.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Aroma.—Very mild.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Ripening.—Even.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.-   Skin:    -   -   Skin thickness.—Thin.        -   Texture.—Tough.        -   Blush color.—P1.55 J12 Dahlia P1.        -   Ground color.—P1.55 C4 close to Wineberry.        -   Pulp.—Clear.        -   Lenticel.—None.        -   Use.—Fresh market        -   Keeping quality.—Very good.        -   Resistance to disease.—None observed.        -   Harvesting and shipment.—Late August to early September in            the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.        -   Shipping and handling quality.—Very good.        -   U.S.D.A hardiness zone.—Zones 8 and 9.

1. A new variety of grapevine to be known as ‘Sheegene-13’,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized principally byits production of large, red-colored seedless grapes, that matureapproximately six weeks later in the season of ripening that does theFlame Seedless Grape (unpatented) that it closely resembles.